Aruba-born Leoncio Zhivago Lopes (affectionately known as private) is the reigning St. Eustatius calypso king. Looking much younger than his fourties, Private exudes the charisma of an island star.
Starting out his music career as a DJ on local radio station Statia PJE1 where he was named "private" after doing a number of chat shows incognito.
Influenced by such calypso legends as Lord Kitchener, Lord Nelson, Calypso Rose and Antigua's The mighty sparrow, In bands from 1986, his music has seen him in calypso bands including the Patients, Minus Two and then Rebels. Originally a drummer, Private writes and arranges all of his own music using keyboard sequencers.
He has recorded a number of calypso CDs - his latest called "Private 2002 : $10 million man) which you can find in Sint Maarten, Anguilla and some of the other Leeward islands. His team is complemented by his wife and sister who act as Executive Directors and help with props, stage effects, outfits and skits.
Private has also been in the islands fire fighting force since 1995 where he is now a 1st class full-time fireman.
Private's favorite things on Statia:
Friendliness of the people
"Local Bar Restaurant" favorite bar and music spot where you can catch him DJ'ing from time to time.
